I 


LINCOLN  ROOM 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


MEMORIAL 

the  Class  of  1901 

founded  by 

HARLAN  HOYT  HORNER 

and 
HENRIETTA  CALHOUN  HORNER 


!  • 


'3%'  ft"*--   1'S 


TESTIMONIALS. 


From  Gen.  McConnell,  old  and  best  friend  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  to  Dr.  Beid- 
ler :- 

Dr.  J.  If.  Beidler. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  listened  with  great  pleasure  to  your  poem  on  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  must  say  that  I  never  heard  anything  that  did  more  justice  to 
that  great  and  good  man.  It  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  lover  of  liberty 
throughout  the  entire  world,  and  especially  should  no  American  family  be 
without  it.  With  kindest  regards  and  appreciation,  I  remain, 

Yours  very  truly, 

JOHN  MCCONNELL. 


The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Col.  Babcock,  who  was  Lincoln's  early 
friend  and  coworker  in  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  and  was 
offered  the  nomination  for  governor,  but  would  not  accept.  He  was  for 
years  the  chairman  of  the  Illinois  Republican  committee  :  — 

CHICAGO,  Sept.  14,  1896. 
Dr.  J.  H.  Beidler. 

DEAR  DOCTOR  :  I  have  read  with  great  interest  the  manuscript  of  your 
poem,  entitled  "Lincoln,  or  the  Prime  Hero  of  the  Nineteenth  Century." 

From  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Lincoln,  commencing  in  1852 
(before  he  had  a  national  reputation),  and  terminating  with  his  death  in 
1865,  I  can  truthfully  say  that  I  have  read  all  of  the  biographies  that  have 
been  written  by  men  who  were  closely  identified  with  him,  by  reason  of 
intimate  association,  political  and  otherwise,  but  none  have  so  vividly  por- 
trayed the  inner  nature  of  the  immortal  savior  of  his  country  as  your 
admirable  classical  and  truthful  poem.  Hoping  you  will  place  it  before  the 


public  in  book  form,  that  it  may  be  read  by  the  masses  who  now  as  a  rule 
revere  by  name  only,  the  greatest,  best,  and  most  heroic  man  this  nation 
has  produced,  and  then  become  more  conversant  with  his  immortal  nature 
and  impulses, 

I  am  yours  respectfully, 

A.  C.  BABCOCK. 


From  Rev.  Isaac  Collier,  A.  M.,  one  of  the  most  scholarly  theologians  in 
the  Reformed  Church,  as  well  as  an  accomplished  poet  and  scientist :  — 

Dr.  J.  H.  Beidler. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  have  read  in  manuscript  with  much  interest  and  pleasure 
your  poem,  entitled  "Lincoln,  or  the  Prime  Hero  of  the  Nineteenth  Cen- 
tury." It  bears  the  stamp  of  genius  and  poesy.  It  cannot  fail  to  awaken 
a  new  interest  in,  and  appreciation  of,  the  noble  hero  of  your  remarkable 
epic.  The  character  and  example  of  Abraham  Lincoln  cannot  be  too  well 
known;  and  your  masterpiece  has  given  his  deeds  and  life  a  new  and  bril- 
liant setting.  You  have  brought  to  light  the  inner  traits  and  hidden  springs 
which  gave  strength  and  luster  to  the  noble  deeds  and  heroic  life  of  this 
great  and  good  man.  Your  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  home  life  and 
public  career  of  your  hero,  has  enabled  you  to  sketch  a  more  vivid  and 
lifelike  portraiture  than  has  yet  been  given  to  the  world.  You  have  even, 
in  fancy,  drawn  aside  the  curtain  and  introduced  us  to  the  scenes  and  events 
of  the  heavenly  world.  There  his  life  is  carefully  reviewed,  approved,  and 
rewarded.  I  am  pleased  to  learn  of  its  early  publication  in  book  form,  and 
bespeak  for  it  a  wide  circulation  and  a  rare  treat  to  every  thoughtful  reader. 
With  sincere  thanks  for  its  early  perusal,  I  am 

Cordially  yours, 

I.  COLLIER,  A.  M. 


LINCOLN 


OR  THE 


PRIME  HERO  OF  THE  NINETEENTH 

CENTURY 


BY  J.  H.  BEIDLER 


PUBLISHED  BY  GRACIA  BEIDLER  &  CO. 
CHICAGO,   ILL. 

1896 


Entered  According  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  Year  1895,  by 

J.  H.  BE1DLER, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


All  Rights  Reserved. 


Entered  at  Stationers'  Hall,  London,  England. 


PREAHBLE. 

I 

No  ancient  rule  or  style-constructing  lines 

Diverting  author  from  his  own  designs, 

Who  sought  the  trail   the  lad  and  Hero  did, 

Whose  mind  was  dauntless,   and  no  fault  was  hid, 

Imbuing   author   thus,   inspiring   heart 

To   build   in  freedom,  if   not  framed  in  art ; 

The  terse  and  rugged  was  his  Hero's  style, 

As  midst  the  rumbling  thunders  he  would  smile, 

Love's  tenderness  and  truth  made  Lincoln  strong 

To  live,  to  labor,   rectifying  wrong. 


[3] 


SYLLABUS. 

HERE   thirteen   thousand   syllables   of   sound, 
Of   breathing  life  in  giving  facts,   are  found  ; 
From  helpless  babe  to  youth,  from  lad  to  age 
And   empty  hands,   to   power  and  tragic  stage, 
The  grandeur  of  his  force,   and  how  it  grew 
Until  it  compassed  what  was  then  in  view  ; 
His   human  efforts  built  with  proper  plan 
•    To  dignify  the  highest  place  of  man, 

With  upright  heart,   and  fertile  brain  of  toil, 
And  power  within  himself,   as  seed  in  soil. 


PREFATORY. 

SHALL   I   regret   the    authorship   of   this 

The  many  days   and   nights  of   mental   toil, 
As  labor  mingled  with  its  fleeting  bliss, 

Whilst  mixing  iridescence  with  the  oil  ? 
Shall  I  regret  I  ever  knew  the  man, 

Whose  living  presence  studied  with  an  aim, 
As  hidden  embers  winds  began  to  fan, 

Igniting  like  volcano  into   flame  ? 

I  heard  him  speak,   accenting  special  word  — 

Observing  mind   as   he  declaimed  for  hours, 
With  thorny  wit  his  jury  often  stirred, 

Then  striking  blows  with  great  forensic  powers. 
Shall   I  regret  I  lived  within  his  years, 

Partaking  of   his  times  with  mighty  men  ? 
The  thinking  era,   full   of   love  and  tears,  - 

A  thousand   years  were  crystalized   in  ten. 


Isl 


6  PREFATORY. 

• 

He  came  unconscious  to  parental  care, 

Whose  mind   burst  open  full  as  rose  on  thorn, 
Spontaneous  evidence  made  him  aware 

That  great  inherent  force  in  him  was  born. 
With  ax  and  book,   no  day  of  life  to  waste, 

Whose  mental  energies  increase  desires, 
In  eagerness  developed  solid   taste  — 

That  thoughts  and  soul,   with  purposes  inspires. 

All  perfect  children  in  their  being  hold 

A  spark  of   God's   divinity  in  trust, 
For  human   knowledge   kindly  to  unfold, 

And  spirit  power  with  intellect  adjust. 
The  more  divinity,  the  purer  child, 

Exhibited   by  modesty,   so  much 
That  growing  manhood  could  not  be  defiled  ; 

Was  Lincoln  not  the  evidence  of   such  ? 

Park   Beidler,  BEIDLER. 

July  4,   1896. 


PROLOGUE. 

I  OFTEN  gazed  on  his  athletic  form, 

As  if  I  stood  before  approaching  storm  ; 

I  felt  a  hidden  force  was  brewing  there, 

To  culminate  would  energize  despair. 

His  face  an  outline  map,  distinct  in  shape, 

And  one  the  student's  eye  could  not  escape. 

Each  line  marked  vastness,  tho'  in  strange  reserve, 

As  strength  and  wonder  formed  the  line  of  curve, 

His  soul  and  intellect  expansion  sought  — 

Unfettered  spirit,  shackles  ever  fought. 

Corroding  avarice  dishonors  bring, 

The  stingy  dollar  had  to  him  no  ring. 

He  looked  through  telescope  of  largest  lens 

To  see  beginning,  and  where  purpose  ends. 

The  planets  intonated  songs  to  him  — 

Sad  Luna,  queen  of  eve,  'his  solace  hymn  ; 

The  wind,  his  song  of  nature's  lullaby, 

And  storm,  his  oratorio  of  sky  ; 

The  wildest  nature  charmed  the  searching  man, 

And  no  phenomenon  he  did  not  scan. 

t7l 


NATIVITY. 

WAS  he  the  child  of  freedom  destiny  had    shaped 
Within  the  womb  of  purity,   feebleness  escaped, 
Whose  mother's  blood,  Teutonic,  pure  and  undefiled, 
Through  Anglo-Saxon  father  came  the  rugged  child? 
What  drafts  of  inspiration  mother  did  enjoy, 
In  giving  proud  Kentucky  enigmatic  boy, 
With  all  climatic  forces,   food  and  healthy  air, 
The  greater  force  prenatal,  —  mother's  larger   share. 

That  she  was  overshadowed  heaven  better  knows, 
That  he  was  born  for  purpose  country's  record  shows. 
How  ultra  complicated ;    simple  tho'  the  truth, 
The  helpless  babe  of  love  developed  into  youth  ;  — 
For  boy  of  tangled  hair  becomes  the  ruling  force, 
And  destinies  of  nations   tremble  at  his  course. 
The  birth  of  Lincoln  fixed  the  epoch  of  the  age, 
And  most  heroic  actor  on  the  tragic  stage. 

Unheralded  he  came  with  his  reliant  power, 

To  grow  in  silent  culture  till  the  promised  hour, 

Then  rise  above  horizon,  vulcan-like  he  grows, 

To  forge  new  sentiments  by  his  resistless  blows. 

He  shaped  his  span  of  time  with   purposes  to  fit, 

With  wisdom  more  elastic  than  didactic  wit ; 

He  conquered   peace  with  war,   the  nation's    foremost  son; 

And  fell  in  tragic  fame,   when  victory  was  won. 


LINCOLN'S  OPEN-ACRE  HOME. 

THE  climbing  rose  around  this  cabin  bloomed, 
And  Open-Acre's  solitude  perfumed  ; 
Its  tendrils  clasp  the  logs  with  sacred  cling, 
And  lending  pleasure  to  each  living  thing. 
Here  child  and  mother  hours  in  silence  spent, 
Enduing  each  with  its  inspiring  scent. 


\ 
[9] 


THE    WAY. 

FROM  manger  to  the  sacrificial  cross, 
What  holy  way  He  trod,   no  second's  loss, 
From  conquest  unto  victory.      His  march 
The  way  prepared  'neath  firmamental  arch. 


THE    ROAD. 

AGAIN  behold  !    Where  solitude  repines 

And  virtue  reigns,   whilst  Heaven  still  designs, 

In  deep  seclusion  rocked  a  blessed  babe ; 

Prophetic  faith  of  love  dictated  Abe. 

What  rugged  road  he  trod  to  marble  flights, 

A  sacrifice  of  life  to  human  rights. 


LINCOLN'S    CABIN    HOME. 

t 

DEAR  hearth  of  childhood,   sacred  still  that  home, 
With  clay-built  chimney  ventilating  dome  ; 
Thy  fire  ignited  torch  with  lurid  blaze 
To  light  my  path  that  leads  to  broader  ways. 


LINCOLN'S    SPRINGFIELD    HOME. 

THIS  home  of  manhood  now  inspiring  life 
With  ties  of  love  in  children,   mother,   wife  ; 
Undying  embers  changeless  glow  the  same, 
That  lit  ambition's  torch  to  modest  flame. 


LINCOLN    AT    THE    WHITE    HOUSE. 

As   chosen  magistrate  its  duties  I  assume, 

Midst  overspreading  clouds,  and  deep,  foreboding  gloom  ; 

To  unify  in   peace   becomes  my  sacred  task. 

Will  heaven  grant  us  that  for  which  I  humbly  ask  ? 

May  God  turn  back  the  dark  approaching  storm  of  woe. 

And  wisdom  grant  to   all,   and   mercy  still  bestow, 

And  save  the  daring  father  and  intrepid  son  ; 

In  union  must  be  peace,    disunion  offers  none. 


LINCOLN'S    MIDNIGHT    PRAYER. 

JUST  AFTER  THE  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN. 

'  *  THOU  God  who    heard  a  Solomon  at  night, 

When  praying  for  true   wisdom  and   for  light, 

Hear  me  !     I  cannot  lead  this  people  so, 

I  cannot  guide  affairs  of  nation,    No  ! 

Without  Thy  help.      I'm  sinful,   poor,   and  weak, 

Thy  holy  wisdom  I  in  mercy  seek, 

O  God  !    who  didst  hear  Solomon,   and  gave 

Him  wisdom,   hear  me;    and  the  Nation  save." 


L«3l 


THE    FATAL    NIGHT. 

THAT  fatal  eve  lit  star-bespangled  skies  — 

A  cloud  obscured  a  star  from  Lincoln's  eyes, 

Remarking,   "Night,    let  not  a  star  be  hid. 

Thy  splendor's  infinite,    what  shall  forbid  ? 

Whose  eyes  could  tire,    as  twinkling  height  declares 

The  majesty  and  power  each  planet  shares ; 

That  changes  darkness  into  stellar  light  — 

Where  distant  space  enjoys  creative  might  ? 

This  night  I  '11  cherish  heaven's  luring  charms, 

With  peace  on  earth,    and    hushed  the  rattling  arms 

His  soul  ecstatic,   contemplating  peace, 

He  saw  the  fruits  of  war  at  once  increase  ; 

Triumphant  army  welcomed  had  returned. 

The  gratitude  of  peace  on  altar  burned, 

And  Lincoln's  palm  had  grasped  the  soldier  hand  ; 

The  capital  aflame  as  they  disband, 

As  North  rejoiced,  the  South  could  do  no  less, 

Decree  of  right  was  honored,   peace  to  bless. 

The  fatal  hour  approached,   the  moment  came, 

Our  Hero  fell  from  our  last  foeman's  aim  ! 

t«4l 


LINCOLN'S  HEROIC  ADDRESS 


BEFORE 


THE  CELESTIAL  PORTALS. 


Apostolic  Servant  : 

A  flying  messenger  of  sudden  death 
Or  painless  shock,   divorcing  life  of  breath, 
Has  placed  me  by  those  portals  I  behold  ; 
The  facts,   by  your  permission,   shall  unfold, 
As  humble  servant  cheerfully  I  wait, 

^  v 

Before  the  majesty  of  heaven's  gate  ; 
But  yesterday  I  stood  in  whirling  time, 
I  think,   the  public  subject  of  a  crime  ; 
Yet  conscious,   and  with  forcible  surprise, 
Identity  in  transit  realize. 

Four  score  and  seven  years  ago,   our  sires 

Brought  forth  a  nation  of  their  own  desires, 

Of  equal  states  of  free  and  slave  in  part, 

A  perfect  union.     Formed  by  brain  and  heart. 

A  nation  "of  the  people"  and   the  states. 

Conceived  in  liberty  and  wise  debates, 

And  "by  the  people"  freedom  to  secure, 

And  "for  the  people"  ever  to  endure, 

"Not  perish  from  the  earth,"   as  Greece  and  Rome, 

* '  As  government '    protecting  every  home. 

[16] 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  17 

Bright  sun  of  freedom,  long  eclipsed  in  part, 
Refused  full  glow  of  light  to  son  of  mart. 
One  pigment  cell  to  line  of  human. kin, 
Denied  them  freedom,   'derm  however  thin. 
Men  saw  pigmented  Venus,  blushing  fresh, 
Upon  the  owner's  block,   and  sold  as  flesh. 
I  watched  and  trembled,  thinking  of  my  God, 
Extending  mercy  and  withholding  rod, 
But  rights  of  man  are  heritage  of  brave, 
Servility  foul  heritage  of  slave. 

Had  I  electric  tongue  and  lips  of  steel, 
My  ignified  conclusions  would  reveal. 
But  let  me  speak  as  I  have  ne'er  before, 
Since  called  to  serve  my  people,   to  restore 
A  fragmentary  nation  to  a  whole  - 
With  sentiments  divided  to  control ; 
My  life  was  as  a  ray,   'mong  rising  beams, 
Commingled  with  horizon's  morning  gleams. 
One  single  ray  mayUight  in  early  hour, 
Some  crooked  path  with  unexpected  power. 


18  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

My  words  of  peace  the  cannon  quickly  hushed, 

In  mockery  my  sentiments  were  crushed, 

A  nation  full  of  will,   sublime  in  power, 

Had  plucked  me  as  from  limb  in  fruitful  bower  ; 

Not  ripe,   as  many  others  on  the  tree, 

I  grew  on  northern  branch,   by  slow  degree  ; 

Not  season-painted  beauty,  tint  of  east, 

The  morning  sun  had  flavored  for  a  feast ; 

My  growth  partook  of  twig,   and  soil  of  clay, 

And  all  climatic  forces  of  each  day. 

I  speak  in  parable,   as  highest  truth. 

As  of  my  own  maturity  and  youth, 

I  am  God's  being,   not  deceptive  ghost, 

To  higher  rise  than  time's  ethereal  coast  ; 

I  was  not  raised  a  Nero,   cruel  czar, 

But  faithful  student  at  my  country's  bar. 

The  people's  choice  for  magistrate  as  one 

To  catch  the  fiery  darts  whom  others  shun, 

And  heal  the  angry  wounds  already  made, 

While  lending  life  of  strength  to  country's  aid, 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  19 

Impetuosity,  climatic   bred, 

Secession's  turbulence  ambition  fed  ; 

Men's  long  environments  established  law 

No  culpability  in  bondsman  saw, 

From  sire  to  son,  from  bride  to  husband  came, 

Inheritance  of  slaves  through  legal  claim  ; 

Like  Ananias'  land,   the  slave  was  sold, 

Oft  given  church,   converted  into  gold  ; 

The  pious  slave  served  man  and  God  in  fact 

While  deacon  vigil  kept  o'er  every  act. 

Servility  had  incubated  rage, 

With  sword  and  arm  to  strike,   at  given  stage, 

Spasmodic  spirits  grew  eccentric,   wild, 

The  Constitution  in  their  wrath  reviled, 

Defying  power  ordained  by  peace  and  war, 

Distorting  truth  that  virtue   must  abhor  ; 

State  prejudices  grew  as  sparks  to  flame, 

While  loyal  Southerners  their  madness  blame, 

Fire-eaters  and  philosophers  debate, 

As  sister  States  unsheathed  the  sword  of  fate. 


20  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

* 

Our  nation  had  a  grand,   exalted  birth, 

And  therefore   ' '  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth. " 

Dark  pigment  cell  a  mighty  power  concealed, 

Mulatto  with  Caucasian  blood  revealed  — 

Preponderance  increased  no  right  or  claim  — 

The  master  held  all  rights,  in  moral  shame  ; 

The  wrongs  of  man  to  man  compounded  hate, 

And  no  relief  from  heaven,   or  of  State. 

The  moans  and  groans,  the  whip  and  block  of  mart  — 

Combustibles  igniting  human  heart. 

On  quiv'ring  scale  the  poise  of  war  was  hung, 
Two  flags  on  native  soil,  to  breezes  flung, 
Exaggeration's  secessional  shuttle  drove, 
And  web  of  conflict  in  excitement  wove, 
Until  the  land,   from  rivers  to  the  sea, 
The  threatened  battle-ground  between  the  free  ; 
Great  brains  and  hearts,   devoted  to  each  cause, 
Then  rushed  to  arms  without  dissenting  pause  ; 
The  force  of  war's  upheaval  moved  each  one, 
Conviction  taking  sides,   from  sire  to  son. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  21 

The  sword  was  not  the  weapon  of  my  choice, 
For  reason  passionless  was  heaven's  voice. 
But  Southern  chivalry  first  urged  the  powers, 
For  destiny  to  crush  exotic  flowers  ; 
They  casting   problems  in  disunion  molds, 
We  twining  olive-branch  in  starry  folds, 
The  constellation  peaceable  would  save  ; 
Its  failure,  pinioned  harbinger  of  slave, 
Seceding  stars  in  darkness  never  set, 
Nor  struggle  dimmed  a  ray  with  one  regret. 

Now  dire  transition  peace  at  once  expels  ; 

Fort  guns  were  turned  on  ships,  with  shot  and  shells, 

Which  overt  act  inaugurated  war, 

Provoking  North  to  its  dilating  core. 

Cyclonic  like,  sons  whirled  to  either  side, 

Two  armies  soon  equipped,   of  youthful  pride  ; 

On  fields  for  gory  deeds,  in  battle  met, 

Determined  foes  for  conquest   anxious  fret, 

Untarnished  sword  unsheathed  for  blood  and  death, 

While  peace  neutrality  was  catching   breath. 


22  LINCOLN'S    ADDRESS. 

The  hearts  of  Christians  felt  the  trial  of  woe 

The  church  and  state  for  decades  helped  to  grow 

Yet  vying  with  each  other  in  the  dare, 

In  battle  fought  without  a  panic  scare  ; 

No  person '1  hatred  had  evolved  the  war, 

All  thought  they  knew  what  each  was  serving  for, 

Like  eagles  hatched  in  one  parental  nest 

Of  equal  courage,   on  their  valor  rest, 

And  none  but  Heaven's  power  could  call  a  halt  — 

Imperturbation  heated  to  revolt. 

State  capitals  became  the  camping-grounds, 
And  every  wind  full  laden,  hostile  sounds, 
Defenses  built  from  coasts  to  hills  and  streams, 
As  bayonet  by  corps  in  battle  gleams  ; 
Aggressive  war  finds  forts  and  trenches  filled 
With  native  blood  and  restless  heroes  killed  • 
Two  million  men  engaged  in  battle  fray, 
And  crowded  hospitals  of  Blue  and  Gray, 
With  prisons  full,   and  land  of  open  graves 
ic  soldier?     mariners  the  waves. 


LINCOLN'S   ADDRESS.  23 

Defeat  and  victory,  they  each  sustain, 
As  corps  on  corps  repulsed  to  form  again, 
Both  arms  infatuated  with  success, 
Attack  with  reinforcement,   forward  press; 
From  horse  to  horse  their  sabers  interchange, 
While  great  columbiads  swept  at  distant  range  ; 
When  thousands  fell  where  slaves  fot  ages  trod, 
All  wounded  prayed  to  one  eternal  God  ; 
Devoted  to  their  cause  of  section  '1  strife, 
And  sealed  devotion  with  their  ebbing  life. 

Hot  battles  fought  in  all  the  Southern  States, 
And  death  seemed  swinging  open  holy  gates, 
For  thousands  fled  with  sunsets  flushing  red, 
On  whose  fair  border  I  now  humbly  tread  ; 
Defeat  and  victory  did  each  inspire  ; 
From  every  section  came  the  telling  wire, 
Intensifying  minutes  with  the  news. 
War  scenes  occurred  whatever  place  we  choose, 
'Twas  war  at  home,  in  church,   in  prayer,   in  song, 
The  talk  of  war  was  heard  from  every  tongue. 


24  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

Perplexing  and  mysterious  force  of  war 

Was  felt  to  ebb  and  flow  from  coast  to  shore 

The  change  of  politics  rebuked  a  halt, 

And  captious  Mars  withdrew  in  cloudy  vault ; 

As  doubt  eclipsed  bright  visions  with  delays, 

Cold,   misanthropic  minds  reject  God's  ways  ; 

In  midst  of  nation'l  gravity  I  stood, 

To  halt,   inglorious  ;    action,   Freedomhood  ! 

God's  proclamation  then  to  breezes  hurled, 

And  stars  and  stripes  to  human  rights  unfurled. 

Then  followed  victories,  from  forts  to  fleets, 
As   ' '  Monitor  "  the   ' '  Merrimac "    defeats. 
While  gulf  and  rivers  ironclads  patrol, 
The  world  our  navy  victories  extol, 
Proud  cities   devastated  'neath  our  arms, 
Plantation  too,   as  cotton  fields  and  farms, 
The  cry  of  war  supplanting  household  joy, 
While  taxing  art  for  engines  to  destroy  ; 
The  trail  of  conflict  drenched  in  crimson  woe 
As  devastation  wrought  war's  overthrow. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  25 

What  unsurpassing  glory  war  revealed  ! 

Brave  generosity  to  heart   appealed, 

Capitulation  came  to  sheathe  the  sword 

In  winding-sheet,    "Lost  Cause "  to  peace  restored. 

The  brave  surrender  to  the  brave  in  arms, 

Transmuting  gore  to  antidotal  charms, 

The  cry  "To  arms,"  was  changed  to  whisp'ring  peace, 

As  corps  disperse,  the  strides  for  home  increase, 

With  freedom's  possibilities  ajar, 

To  open  swing,   without  a  lock  or  bar. 

Three  long,   disastrous  years  of  war  and  gore, 

With  moral  tension,   strongest  fiber  tore. 

All  crops  neglected,   life  and  treasure  lost, 

And  happy  hearths  destroyed  at  bitter  cost  ; 

Then  reconciliation  ;    peace  restored, 

And  hostile  flag  was  furled,   and   sheathed  the    sword. 

The    songs  of  peace  were  sung  by  soldiers'  voice, 

One  common  country,   all  in  love  rejoice  ; 

With  crown  of  liberty  on  every  head, 

And  green  the  graves  of  all  the  noble  dead. 


26  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

^ 

Relieved  by  Providence,   without   appeal, 

As  chief  of  nation,   nothing  to  conceal, 

Rejoicing,   for  my  country's  peace  I  love  ; 

I  'm  thankful  to  my  God  that  I  'm  above. 

"With  charity  for  all,"   I  plead  for  each, 

His  benediction  ask,   and  do  beseech  ; 

For  we  were  brothers,  but  not  understood, 

But  now  the  problem  's  solved  for  highest  good  ; 

No  life  was  given  Heaven  will  not  bless, 

In  solemn  judgment  I  do  here  profess. 

Our  conflict  raised  my  estimate  of  men, 
Augmenting  faith  in  righteous  sword  and  pien  ; 
Our  nation  great,   of  chivalry  and  pluck, 
The  highest  attitude  of  purpose  struck ; 
To  struggle  for  their  rights,   with  heart  and  hand, 
And  seeing  right  from  their  peculiar  stand, 
As  your  unselfish  stroke  when  holding  sword, 
Who  cut  the  ear,   the  Master's  touch  restored. 
What  grand  display  of  love  in  each  we  see, 
Who  died  for  what  he  thought  was  God's  decree  ! 


LINCOLN'S    ADDRESS.  27 

He  who  doth  give   his  life  for  noble  cause, 

Enshrines  himself  in  highest  moral  laws  ; 

Such  men  crave  naught  but  truth  while  loving  right 

Are  ever  rising  upward  in  their  flight  ; 

No  fait  'ring  second  chills  their  honest  soul, 

Nor  slow  regret  their  purposes  control  ; 

They  die  for  love  of  right  to  better  all, 

Whose  purpose  flaming  gulf  cannot  appal, 

Their  souls  seem  fortified  with  special  grace  ; 

Where  duty  calls,   they  find  their  chosen  place. 

In  dawn's  dim  distance  utterance  became 

The  power  of  language,   as  caloric  flame  ; 

Elastic  Anglo-Saxon,   later  born, 

Our  hearths  and  forums  learnedly  adorn  ; 

Selecting  signs  and  Greek  and  Roman  words, 

Phenician  sounds  from  hieroglyphic  birds, 

Our  English  must  be  clear  to  you,   tho'  young, 

Your  scope  of   knowledge  takes  in  every  tongue  ; 

Words  are  but  laden  breath  of  vocal  sound, 

Yet  grave  and  simple  as  they  are  profound. 


28  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

No  royal  despot  breathes  our  native  air 
Nor  crown  conflicts  with  governmental  care. 
Had  Christ  been  born  on  freedom's  blessed  land, 
Where  people  rule,   and  legal  votes  command, 
No  hand  had  nailed  Him  to   Historic  Tree, 
By  strange  ecclesiastical  decree  ; 
Where  thoughts  are  free  as  liberty  on  wings, 
All  blessing  to  the ,  people  equal  brings, 
The  child  of  indigence,   or  Heaven's  Son, 
Bright  stars  and  stripes  enfold  the  weakest  one. 

The  country,   standing  monument  of  right, 

As  Jesus  taught  before  He  took  His  flight, 

Who  elevated  man  to  noble  sphere, 

Self-government  approved  is  conscious  clear ; 

None  have  the  right  of  other's  blood  and  sweat, 

Without  the  recompense  their  toils  beget  ; 

Equality  of  Gentile   and  the  Jew, 

You  taught  so  eloquently,  must  be  true ; 

I  stood  upon  the  bridge's  extending  span, 

To  represent   equality  of  man. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  29 

That  bridge  was  more  than  sordid  human  skill  ; 
Our  fathers  were  the  instruments  of  will, 
Who  built  it  strong  on  which  I  firmly  stood, 
With  faith  and  trust  in  vitalizing  good  ; 
That  arch  of  liberty  a  union  spans, 
Unbroken  structure,   wisdom's  latest  plans  ; 
The  weight  of  millions  time  shall  never  break, 
That  arch  of  strength  what  human  efforts  shake  ? 
It  stands  the  glory  of  a  struggling  past, 
Sustaining  weight  as   limitless  as  vast. 

My  cabinet  were  men  at  once  renowned, 
Nor  firmer  counsel  in  the  nation  found. 
Philosophers  and   statesmen  my  support, 
Exalted  jurists  that  composed  the  court. 
Distinguished  heroes,   incarnated  white, 
As  academic  scholars  taught  to  fight ; 
While  sovereign  people  to  my  counsel  clung, 
As  true  as  bees,  disloyal  apis  stung. 
Each  sacrificed  without  a  murm'ring  pause, 
Upon  the  altar  of  their  country's  cause. 


30  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

The  cross,  with  solemn  purpose,  light,   and  power, 
Shed  glory  on  the  cause's  triumphant  hour. 
The  love  of  patriot  partook  of  force,  • 
Evolving  from  the  purest,   noblest  source, 
Which  justified  the  work  of  crimson  flow, 

• 

With  proffered  charity  at  every  blow  ; 
The  Union  crystalized  without  a  flaw, 

> . 

And  Constitution  saved  as  highest  law, 
' '  Unalienable  rights "  for  all  secured, 
And  constellated  stars  their  light  assured. 

I  held  the  sword  of  conflict  at  command, 

One  foot  on  waves,   the  other  on  the  land  ; 

Where'er  the  flag  was  kissed  by  heaven's  breeze, 

Its  majesty  's  upheld  on  land  or  seas  ; 

As  victories  had  vindicated  cause, 

Beneficent   results  acclaim  applause. 

Revenge  I  knew  not,   pity  sought  control, 

While  equity  and  mercy  poised  my  soul  ; 

Responsibility  I  felt,   of  state, 

As  tragic  force,   accumulative  weight. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  31 

f 

War-anguish   mothers  felt  were  pangs  too  keen 

When  mingled  tears  and  kiss  in  parting  seen  ; 

The  sobbing  child  and  melancholy  lass, 

Soul-painted  pictures  still  through  mem'ry  pass. 

My  pen  was  ever  ready  life  to  save, 

And  even  guilty  spies  a  pardon  gave  ; 

How  oft  my  prayers   have  winged  to  God  to  learn 

Where  mercy  ends,   and  justice  must  return  ; 

My  solemn  duty  was  to  do  my  part, 

No  dregs  are  in  my  cup,   or  sting  in  heart. 

I  oft  have  tasted  glorified  reward, 

Men  justifying  acts  with  one  accord, 

I  tried  with  bloodless  measures  to  adjust 

Which  fell  as  spray  upon  the  desert  dust, 

To  see  the  blackest  moment  flash  emit 

Abyss  of  darkness  unexpected  lit. 

Red  stars  in  azure  in  an  instant  hide 

Yet  men  of  honest  souls  in  truth  abide 

And  man  of  Christlike  spirit  wrong  defy 

With  sword  of  death  in  gore  as  Christian  die. 


LINCOLN'S    ADDRESS. 

Our  person  '1  conflict  desolation's  womb, 

Tho*  soon  became  mutation's  open  tomb, 

To  which  was. doomed  what  freedom  had  denied, 

As  Pharaoh's  host  was  plunged  beneath  the  tide  ; 

For  Moses  and  Elias  seemed  on  earth, 

With  heaven's  power  of  sanctifying  worth, 

And  lending  light  as  moon  and  stars  and  sun, 

Bright  rays  of  liberty  for  every  one 

With  pigments  black  as  spiral  hair  on  head, 

Or  forest  athlete,   with  his  pigments  red. 

True  liberty  of  conscience  lends  delight, 
As  liberty  of  person  stands  for  right  ; 
All  intellect  with  freedom  must  expand  — 
Developed  mind  prepares  the  skilful  hand ; 
As  great  constructive  age  enhanced  the  hour, 
Creative  brains  become  the  motive  power ; 
Our  engines  rival  wings  and  hoofs,   to  run, 
Chronometer  ticks  time  with  earth  and  sun  ; 
Our  telescope  wipes  distance  from  the  eyes, 
And  chemistry  lights  occults  with  surprise. 


LINCOLN'S   ADDRESS.  33 

To  me  the  stars  seemed  scintillating  gold, 
As  firmament  of  night  would  things  unfold, 
And  rising  sun  augmented  beams  to  shine 
From  blue  meridian  with  power  divine  ; 
Each  silent  ray  sent  forth  a  vital  power, 
With  earnest  purpose  soothing  anxious  hour, 
Which  gave  me  strength  in  sadness,   even  might, 
With  comfort  to  my  soul,   the  cause  was  right ; 
Upon  my  country's  altar  all  was  placed, 
With  my  command  no  life  was  spent  as  waste. 

Hence  nation'l  liberty  with  knowledge  grows, 

As  mind  develops  heart,   it  overflows  ; 

The  cross  shines  brighter,  when  it 's  understood, 

To  learn  God's  chastisements  were  serving  good  ; 

The  blood-fed  soil  shall  corn  and  cotton  yield, 

And  happy  homes  of  freedom  dot  the  field  ; 

To  ocean's  breath  hydraulic  force  of  wave 

Shall  carry  trade,   and  wharfs  of  commerce  lave  ; 

A  continental  union  ocean  bound 

Shall  nurture  liberty  wherever  found. 


34  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

* 

The  depths  of  past  and  solemn  presence  tell 
That  not  a  sparrow  falls,   nor  soldier  fell 
But  purpose  filled,   however  deeply  veiled, 
While  negative  of  right  has  always  failed. 
Whatever  part  the  majesty  of  place 
Conferred  on  me,  -with  heaven's  goodly  grace, 
I  ventured  all  my  being,   hope,   and  force, 
And  history  may  justify  my  course  ; 
I  ask  no  honor,  truth  for  me  shall  care, 
If  my  short  presence  served  my  people  there. 

My  exit  was  as  calm  as  voyage  clear, 

Exhilarating  ecstasy  to  cheer. 

Without  exertion,   power  I  think  divine, 

Has  urged   my  passage,   pregnant  with  design  ; 

I  am  myself,  and  tangibly  I  vow  ; 

Please  solve  the  problem  of  my  presence  now  ; 

Those  hingeless  portals  Vulcan  could  not  forge, 

Bright,  swinging  mountains  over  sapphire  gorge, 

Beyond,   what  raptured  intellectu'l  joy 

Where  souls  can  highest  faculties  employ  ! 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  35 

My  visions  in  the  past,   however  true, 
Are  here  eclipsed  with  forces  startling,   new  ; 
Time's  theories  blooming  on  the  tree,   or  shoot, 
tAre  here  fruition,   knowledge's  ripened  fruit  ; 
Past  mental  glimmers,   now  refulgent  light, 
And  wings  of  doubt  deprived  of  further  flight. 
Philosophy  of  Christ  doth  constant  shine, 
Emphatic  truth  embellished  with   divine, 
Time's  purifying  agony  of  heart, 
Prepares  for  such   sublimity  in  part. 

New  glimpse  of  spirit  light  oft  reason  lit, 

Then  peals  of  moral  thunder  followed  it. 

And  some  unknown,   occult,   ignited  soul, 

As  laden  seconds  passed  beyond  control ; 

My  mind  partook  of  all  that  I  now  see, 

Then  passing  gleams  ;  here  all  intensity. 

Could  brave  agnostic  friends  see  what  I  do, 

Their  feeble  minds  might  feed  on  something  new  ; 

The  rising  glory  of  eternal  light, 

Where  finite  thought  with  infinite  unite. 


36  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

The  flames  and  ashes  of  explosive  past, 

Were  fanned  and  driven  by  aggressive  blast  ; 

Time's  weight  of  ignorance  in  servile  march, 

Too  ponderous  for  freedom's  moral  arch  ; 

But  opulence  and  indolence  remain, 

That  forged  the  frow,  to  rive  us  into  twain  ; 

None  but  a  God  who  end  and  purpose  knew 

Could  stop  opposing  power  of  Gray  and    Blue ; 

I  come  as  pleading  harbinger  of  love 

To  plead  the  rights  of  man  in  courts   above. 

Humanity  has  claims  which  God  allows, 
When  man  to  Fatherhood  in  wisdom  bows  ; 
To  breathe  divinity  as  vital  air, 
But  life's  responsibility  must  share. 
The  flag  of  peace  is  flag  of  rightful  war, 
A  living  fact,  without  disjunctive  "or," 
Philosophy  and  duty  filled  the  ranks 
When  lottery  of  life  dispensed  no  blanks. 
Tho'  coward's  impulse  with  ambition's  aim, 
Ignited  spontaneity  to  flame. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  37 

Apostle  thou  ;  denied  our  Master  thrice, 

At  tearful  cost  and  penitential  price  ;    •     [we  learned  ; 

"Thou  thought'st  thou  would'st  not,  but  thou  didst," 

Humanity  how  frail  when  life  's  concerned  ! 

•But  frailty  must  be  ours ;  my  faith  held  out 

And  right  prevailed,   defeating  sheltered  doubt  ; 

Emancipation's  work  doth  promise  well, 

Without  a  clank,  four  million  shackles  fell. 

Yes  !  liberty  has  spread  new  pinions  wide, 

And  God  has  granted  what  man  long  denied. 

Your  tribulations  conquered  all  your  foes, 

Those  portal  keys  you  hold  through    martyr's  woes  ; 

No  fagot  pyre  nor  cross  deterred  thy  step, 

In  justice  drew  the  sword,   in  sorrow  wept ; 

You  heard  the  Master's  words  on  mount  and  sea, 

You  learned  of  Him  through  mysteries  to  see, 

Whose  wisdom  echoes  still  throughout  all  space, 

The  Cosmic  Man,   philosopher  of  grace  ; 

He  found  our  depth,   and  touched  with  tender  love 

That  part  of  man  that  lives  in  form  above. 


38  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

Why  fear  a  loving  Father  we  obey  ? 
What  stars  afright  at  God  and  hide  away  ? 
Reciprocation  links  moon,   stars,   and  sun, 
They  give  and  borrow  light  for  every  one  ; 
Can  Luna  hide  from  Sun  who  lendeth  beams  ? 
She  shares  her  glory  with  her  brightest  gleams  ; 
The  moon  doth  love  the  sun  for  giving  light, 
They  kiss  each  other  through  the  longest  night  ; 
At  morn  and  eve  they  meet  as  laws  control, 
No  fear  disturbs,  in  harmony  they  roll. 

Is  faith  to  intellect  what  soul 's  to  man  ? 

The  soul  exists,  but  not  for  eyes  to  scan, 

Self-evidence  is  truth,   accepted  facts, 

The  axioms  possess  what  logic  lacks  ; 

The  one  exists,  the  other  mind  creates, 

Faith  grasps  the  truth  while  logic  still  debates  ; 

On  wings  of  faith  the  angels  waft  through  space, 

With  power  of  faith  they  mount  the  throne  of  grace; 

With  love  and  faith  embrace  all  facts  of  right 

In  trustful  faith  enjoy  all  that 's  delight. 


LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS.  39 

Are  solar  rays  but  dawn  of    future  light, 
And  earth  the  cradle  of  a  higher  flight  ? 
Is  babe  the  germ  of  knowledge  with  its  force, 
To  gather  wisdom  from  each  cosmic  source  ? 
To  build  the  steps  to  mount  the  highest   tower, 
And  topple  shaft  of  wrong  with  giant  power, 
Or  quake  a  nation  with  approaching  woes, 
Subduing  tyranny  with  bloodless  blows  ? 
The  babe  becomes  the  intellectual  form 
To  sniff  the  thunder  and  to  kiss  the  storm. 

As  endless  as  the  space  we  occupy, 

New  facts  develop,  and  so  multiply. 

Is  faith  sound  evidence  of  things  unseen 

Beyond  our  faculties  however  keen  ? 

Increasing  mental  strength,  directing  powers, 

Is  evidence  unseen  as  scent  of  flowers  ? 

Has  soul  a  supplemental,   hidden  light  ? 

Does  faith  the  higher  faculties  ignite  ? 

But  is  it  so,   my  apostolic  friend, 

My  faith  was  light,   on  which  I  still  depend  ? 


40  LINCOLN'S  ADDRESS. 

God's  love  unbolts  the  portals  to  the  truth, 

I  Ve  often  felt  the  sliding  bolt  from  youth  ; 

God  gives  the  key  to  knowledge  through  his  laws, 

To  willing  hearts  he  grants  a  special  clause. 

The  infinite  inspires  the  finite  mind, 

And  lends  us  moral  strength  to  search  and  find ; 

As  orb  in  orbit  lends  poetic  time, 

And  motions  of  the  earth  unite  in  rhyme, 

God's  power  in  each  dry  atom  truth  displays 

Partaking  of  a  force  which  law  obeys. 

The  seeds  of  life  God  gave  each    scent  and  kind, 

To  dimpled  child  he  gives  as  he  designed. 

As  second's  flash  reveals  expanse  of  space, 

Eternity  unveils  Jehovah's  face  ; 

A  minute's  glory  how  ecstatic,   sweet, 

When  discontent  is  reconciled  complete ! 

With  God  and  man  with  faculties  ablaze 

In  glad  emotion  of   His  perfect  ways, 

The  God  of  time  is  heaven's,  too,   I  know, 

The  One  I  love  is  present,   too,    below. 


LINCOLN'S    ADDRESS.  41 

In  conscious  gratitude  I  rest  my  case 

Upon  the  rights  of  man   and  Jesus'  grace  ; 

My  life  's  an  open  map  before  you  spread, 

You  comprehend  each  thought  and  word  I  said  ; 

Fulfilment  of   the  finite  law  is  past, 

The  infinite  secures  a  life  to  last  ; 

The  universe  's  controlled  by  wisdom's  power, 

As  true  as  solar  minutes  make  the  hour  ; 

Obedience  is  worship,   God    decreed, 

ri 

To  which  he  granted  grace,   all  mortals  need. 


APOSTOLIC  SERVANT'S  REPLY. 

"Bur  ye  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  royal  priest- 
hood, a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people  ;  that  ye  should 
show  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  called  you  out 
of  darkness  into  his  marvelous  light." 

1 '  For  what  glory  is  it,  if,  when  ye  be  buffeted  for 
your  faults,  ye  shall  take  it  patiently  ?  but  if,  when 
ye  do  well,  and  suffer  for  it,  ye  take  it  patiently,  this 
is  acceptable  with  God."  "As  free,  and  not  using 
your  liberty  for  a  cloak  of  maliciousness,  but  as  a 
servant  of  God. "  I  Peter  2:  p,  16,  20. 


THE  HARBINGER'S  WELCOME. 

AN  angel  then  appeared  on  scarlet  wings 

s 

Extending  hand,   and  person  '1  message  brings  ; 

His  face  a  moral  glow  with  tidings  fresh, 

But  not  of  human  or  terrestrial  flesh. 

He  clasped  the  hand  of  Lincoln  as  with  power, — 

A  culminating  moment,   term'nal  hour, — 

With  words  intoned  that  breathed  a  welcome  call 

As  Lincoln  gazed  yet  not  surprised  at  all, 

Who  stood  in  attitude  to  meet  his  guest, 

Transfixed  in  glory  that  his  soul  possessed. 

The  great  angelic  messenger  then  spoke, 

And  these  the  words  that  silence  softly  broke  ; 

' '  Upon  the  edge  of  pangs  I  was  with  thee, 

Some  psychologic  force  united  me  ; 

Thy  path  was  ours,   thy  steps  were  even  mine, 

Thy  impulse,   too,  with  power  that  seemed  divine  , 

Thy  hours  of  slumber  mine,   to  guard  and  wake, 

Thy  dreams  my  thoughts,   nor  did  I  thee  forsake  ; 

I  was  thy  hidden  staff,   thy  spirit  eyes, 

And  oft  communed  without  the  least  surprise. 

[43] 


44  THE   HARBINGER'S   WELCOME. 

"Thy  mind  was  yours  for  me  to  follow  it, 

But  not  to  alter  acts,   or  wisdom's  wit  ; 

Thy  judgment  to  confirm  and  strengthen  wiJl, 

Encourage  heart  all  duties  to  fulfil ; 

Thy  civil  and  thy  military  strife  — 

Profound  those  mysteries  surrounding  life. 

Upon  thy  judgment  life  of  millions  hung, 

And  on  thy  words  were  stars  in  ether  flung  ; 

Transporting  bliss  shall  make  thy  life  complete, 

A  place  for  thee  is  wreathed,   thy  friends  to  meet. 

' '  Come,  mount  the  steps  that  lead  thee  to  thy  place, 

As  wide  as  distance,   and  as  high  as  space  ; 

Within  the  purlieu  of  still  greater  things, 

Divinity  shall  send  on  loving  wings  ; 

The  cup  of  wisdom  thou  hast  filled  to  brim, 

The  tree  of  knowledge  climbed  to  highest  limb  ; 

Thy  pillow,   truth ;  equality,   thy  rod  ; 

The  path  of  mercy  thou  hast  always  trod  ; 

Thou  'st  freighted  moments  with  thy  loving  deeds, 

And  gleaned  the  best  of  life  'mong  many  weeds. 


THE   HARBINGER'S   WELCOME.  45 

"Thy  life  no  problem  but  an  open  page, 
Thy  work  has  filled  with  love  a  fruitful  age  ; 
Thou  'st  plucked  the  diadem  from  selfish  crown, 
And  lifted  up  the  poor  when  trodden  down  ; 
Thou  'st  picked  the  thorns  from  helpless  child  of  fate, 
And  opened  wide  the  way  and  hingeless  gate  ; 
Thou  'st  proffered  sandals  to  the  feet-sore  tramps, 
And  poured  the  oil  of  light  into  their  lamps  ; 
Thou'st  raised  the  wounded  in  thine  arms  of  love, 
And  kissed  the  child  of  sorrow  now  above. 

"To  god  of  wealth  thy  knees  were   never  bent, 

Nor  held  the   toga  politicians  rent. 

Thy  eyes  were   never  blurred  by  truth's  clear  light, 

But  sorrow  flooded  them  in  silent  night. 

Thy  mirth  as  clouds  of  white  that  float  in   sky, 

That  changes  scenes  while   darker  clouds  pass  by  ; 

Thy  solemn  gravity  the   heart  oppressed, 

As  bright  enascent  thoughts  thy  moments  blessed. 

And  weight  of  circumstances  never  crushed, 

For  all  complaints  in  bosom  slowly  hushed/ 


46  THE   HARBINGER'S   WELCOME. 

' '  He  who  created  elements  of  earth, 

Chaotic  night  once  held  in  moment's  birth, 

Assuming  orbs,   in  orbits  in  their  place, 

And  filling  distance  of  unmeasured  space  — 

Is  our  Jehovah,   Father,    and  our  God, 

In  whose  straight  path  of  wisdom  you  have  trod, 

You  bent  your  will  toward  the  goal  of  right, 

And  ne  'er  departed  in  the  darkest  night ; 

You  stood  as  shaft  on  island's  highest  hill, 

Unshaken  purpose,   with  determined   will. 

' '  From  zone  to  zone  thou  'It  pass  beyond  old  time, 

Through  splendor's  zones  each  growing  more  sublime, 

As  intellect  develops  with  each  zone, 

As  we  approach  still  higher,   nearing  throne  ; 

Realities  thou'lt  find  beyond  thy  ken, 

As  undescribed  by  words  or  poet's  pen, 

Where  vastness  ocean-like,   ne'er  overfills, 

Yet  million  streams  flow  in  as  mountain  rills. 

Space  widens  limitless  in  rapturous  bounds, 

As  heaven's  orchestra  through  space  resounds.' 


BRIGHT  PORTALS  OPEN  SWUNG. 

ABOVE  bright  zones'  horizon,  gorgeous  hung, 

Those  portals  that  in  silence  open  swung, 
Where  busy  angels  holy  welcome  bowed, 
As  voices  raised  their  tunes  exulting  loud. 
With  gravity  he  mounts  the  beryl  step, 
As  measured  rhythmic  time  the  voices  kept, 
Within  the  corridor  of  heaven's  grace, 
Who  met  the  cherubim  with  radiant  face, 
Where  principalities  in  order  reign, 
And  human  virtues  first  promotion  gain. 


1.47] 


conriENTS. 

YOUR  comments  write  beneath  this  soaring  bird, 
With  his  majestic  freedom  in  each  word. 


[48! 


PRESENTED 


l49l 


REMARKS. 

As  independent  as  the  owl  on  guard, 
Pen  your  remarks,   philosopher  or  bard. 


Lso] 


THE  PRIME  HERO 


THE  PRIflE   HERO. 

1  INSCRUTABLE,  occult,  the  power  of  God, 
Whose  law  dissolves  each  formed  Adamic  clod, 
Who  honors  characters  of  truth,  and  "  sweat," 
And  every  burning  thought  that  minds  beget. 
Each  soul  shall  reap  the  harvest  of  its  deeds, 
While  rev'ling  microbes  on  its  body  feeds. 
Grand  law  of  life  the  microbe  must  obey ; 
As  rose  organic  life  to  bloom  a  day, 
So  nations  must  obey  organic  law, 

Or  see  the  clash  of  arms  our  people  saw. 

^ 
The  flame  of  ' '  none  extension '    lit  the  hour 

Which  agitation  fed  ;  combustive  power, 

Upon  the  altar  Douglas  did  erect, 

To  slavery  uphold  or  to   reject. 

He  then  as  flaming  giant  from  the  sky 

Threw  bolts  of  logic  with  a  gunner's  eye  ; 

Old  Mason-Dixon  line  he  broke  as  thread, 

While  Lincoln's  voice  for  ' '  none  extension '    plead  ; 

(The  admiration  of  unfettered  free, 

Emerging  coral  shaft  from  troubled  sea). 

15*1 


THE    PRIME    HERO.  53 

His  pulse  in  unison  with  people's  beat, 

Unchanged  by  storm,   and  never  raised  by  heat, 

Nor  exaltation  altered  man  of  fate, 

With  all  the  force  of  war  and   power  of  state  ; 

The  rights  of  man  unknown  to  king  or  knave, 

A  jewel  in  each  crown  that  Lincoln  gave  ; 

No  other  age  evolved  just  such  as  he, 

Nor  was  intensified  to  such   degree  ; 

He  brushed  away  a  cloud  as  with  a  fan, 

The  God  who  lit  the  sun  gave  us  the  man. 

* 

On  sun-kissed  promontory  Lincoln  stood, 
Premonitor  of  right  for  nation'l  good  ; 
To  move  to  either  side  strange  peril  yawned, 
While  restless  Notus  blew  where  hazard  dawned  ; 
The  world  was  gazing  on  transcending  man, 
Through  every  party  lens  the  hero  scan  ; 
While  taking  Washington's  untarnished  chair, 
The  people's  will  selecting  him  the  heir; 
Just  fresh  from  western  sunset's  glowing  rim, 
With  all  the  courage  that  belonged  to  him. 


54:  THE    PRIME    HERO. 

His  life  was  not  the  pebbled,   purling  brook, 

Nor  lazy  worm's  that  gnaws  the  miser's  book; 

Each  pulse  that  gave  him    life  was  all  he  had, 

When  changing  childhood  to  the  busy  lad  ; 

He  sought  each  printed  line  which  opened  mind, 

To  watch  his  thoughts,  to  learn  how  they  're  inclined  ; 

The  impulse  of  his  heart  he  learned  was  right, 

As  purity  was  pleasure   and  delight  ; 

The  Master's  teaching  guided  early  course, 

Which  grew  in  power  as  he  developed  force. 

To  build  a  star  none  but  a  God  could  do, 

A  body  made  of  light  and  atoms  new  — 

To  twinkle  in  its  orbit  distant  sun  — 

Yet  light  a  universe  of  orbs,   as  one  ; 

The  God  of  stars  a  child  from  matter  hurled  — 

Igniting  soul  with  force  to  light  a  world  ! 

Of  rarest  force  inherent  powers  sustain, 

From  bone  to  flesh,   to  nerve  and  peerless  brain ; 

Uncouth  foundation,   superstructure  grand  - 

The  God  of  stars  had  built  as  he  had  planned. 


THE    PRIME     HERO.  55 

The  child,   the  lad,   and  youth's  maturing  man, 
The  higher  force  exhibits  in  his  plan. 
Design  was  hid  in  cradle  of  the  babe, 
That  forced  to  agile,   athlete,  wrestling  "Abe, " 
Then  axman,   soldier,   up  to  legal  sprig, 
Conviction  molded  into  loyal  Whig  ; 
His  hand  and  brain  together  using  time, 
To  build  a  character  to  grow  sublime  ; 
From  ashes  of  the  hearth  first  ate  his  bread, 
And  stars  first  spangled  cover,   leaves  his  bed. 

The  bitter  weeds  the  autumn  fires  scorch, 

He  gathered  into  fagots  for  a  torch, 

By  which  he  read  his  books  and  studied  law, 

Increasing  blaze  when  autumn  nights  were  raw. 

Ambition  never  blushed  in  gath'ring  facts, 

Nor  fresh  embarrassment  could  check  his  acts  ; 

No  trail  so  tortuous  he  could  not  keep, 

No  barrier  too  high  for  him  to  leap, 

No  laws  so  intricate  he  could  not  solve, 

No  injury  so  great  to  not  absolve. 


56  THE     PRIME     HERO. 

The  rose,  with  wealth  no  other  blooms  possess, 
Yet  grows  on  thorns,   none  love  the  scent  the  less  , 
When  tasseled   corn  from   moisture   droughts   deprive, 
The  force  of  want  makes  roots  the  deeper  drive  ; 
Our  Hero  lived  in  want,  but  not  for  brains, 
Tho '  cabin  born,   he  soon  was  handling  reins  ; 
The  treeless  plains  inspiring  campus  walk, 
Who  soared  above  the  college  like  a  hawk  ; 
With  latent  strength  he  pounced  upon  the  truth, 
Each  moment  forging  history  from  youth. 

None  but  a  child  of  poverty  can  feel 
The  force  of  want,  when  hunger  makes  appeal ; 
None  but  the  coatless  child  can  ever  know 
The  weight  of  crystal  flakes  of  drifting  snow; 
None  but  a  heart  once  crushed  to  deep  despair, 

•^ 

Can  soothe  another's  heart  with  gentle  care. 
Those  lessons  Lincoln  learned  to  not  forget, 
Applying  each  as  circumstances  met, 
As  master  of  himself  each  to  employ, 
To  mold  philosopher  of  plastic  boy. 


THE    PRIME    HERO.  57 

"A  man  of  many  sides  ",  as  carbon  stone, 

A  crystal  gem  from  every  side  has  shown, 

And  cut  and  polished  by  the  art  of  peace, 

In  rayless  night  must  brilliancy  increase. 

* '  A  man  of  many  sides, "  and  each  was  bright, 

While  slow  in  growth  he  reached   his   normal   height  ; 

To  grasp  imperial   power,  yet  be  uncrowned, 

In  every  crisis  for  the  right  was  found  ; 

Who  seemed  to  follow,  but  had  always  led, 

And  used  the  bellows  'til  his  steel  was  red. 

Once  architect  and  master  of  a  boat, 
As  graceful  swan  on  rippling  waters   float ; 
As  captain  of   his  craft,   he   ' '  loaded '    low, 
The  river  current  moved  impatient,  slow. 
He  winds  his  way  to  Orleans'  cloudy  south, 
That  nestles  near  the  Mississippi's  mouth  ; 
There  slavery  in  all  its  phases  saw  — 
Amalgamation,  whip,   and  block,   and  law  — 
A  picture  stamped  upon  his  youthful  heart, 
High  destiny  had  fixed  as  guiding  chart. 


58  THE    PRIME    HERO. 

• 

Immeasurable  depth  of  moral  power, 
With  psychologic  force,  as  scent  in  flower, 
And  self-volition's  cultured  brain  combined, 
Uniting  all,   produced  majestic  mind. 
His  idiosyncrasies  he  understood, 
The  higher  knowledge  daily  mental  food, 
'Til  smothered  heat  of  deep  volcano  burst, 
To  spend  exhaustless  power  on  Douglas  first. 
He  measured  self  in  judgment,   he  the  judge, 
Who  knew  himself  no  fallacy  could  budge. 

Now  peer  met  peer  on  forum  of  debate, 
On  Squatter-Sovereignty,   creating  state  ; 
Antagonistic  minds  as  strong  as  bold, 
Ambitious  statesmen's  sentiments  to  mold. 
As  distant  thunder  Douglas  hurling  thought, 
Reverberating  space  his  meaning  caught. 
Then  Lincoln  raised  his  voice,   extending  arms, 
Whose  oratory  people  quickly  charms, 
"A  house  divided  cannot  stand !"  exclaimed, 
Congested  politics  at  once  inflamed. 


THE    PRIME   HERO.  59 

Those  words  were  gladiator's  fearless  blow, 
Their  vibratory  power  no  one  can  know. 
At  Appomattox  they  were  clearly  heard, 
Capitulating  sword  to  Lincoln's  word  ; 
That  sentence  moved  a  Nation's  martial   heart, 
With  clash  of  arms  that  follow  as  a  part ; 
The  house  divided,   but  it  could  not  fall, 
Its  deep  foundation  held  the  solid  wall  ; 
That  house  remains  the  temple  of  the  brave, 
On  which  the  stars  and  stripes  shall  ever  wave. 

Those  words  are  products  of  that   fruitful  Tree, 

That  beareth  fruit  of  which  is  always  free. 

The  words  pronounced  by  Lincoln,  sacred  speech, 

As  Master's  saying,  still  that  lesson  teach  ; 

No  words  were  ever  spoken  freighted  more 

With  truth  and  power  in  gospel  sacred  lore  ; 

Life's  unity  our  Master  had  in  view, 

And  Lincoln  used  expression  aptly  too. 

Applied  to  country  undivided  one, 

And  indivisible  as  orb  of  sun. 


60  THE    PRIME    HERO. 

Accomplished  orators  portend  the  storm, 
Then  gathering  combustion  into  form, 
They  saw  cold  chivalry  and  justice  clash, 
And  distant  thunders  coming  with  a  crash  ; 
As  Douglas  firm,   and  Lincoln  solemn,   spoke, 
The  Nation  from  its  lethargy  awoke  ; 
State  conflict  was  approaching,   they  declared, 
Of  ghostly  form,   in  darkness  danger  glared, 
Who  drove  their  logic  as  unbridled  steeds, 
To  tragic  field  of  gore  where  justice  pleads. 

To  retrospect  through  vista's  gauzy  veil, 
Investigating  birth  must  doubtless  fail ; 
Why  one  's  a  hero  born,   the  other,  slave, 
Some  born  to  wreck  the  Nation,   some  to  save, 
Are  problems  embryology  still  seals, 
Where  life  and  soul  unite  and  form  reveals. 
Our  hero  came  as  must  the  dwarf  in  mode, 
All  travel  lifehood's  enigmatic  road  ; 
The  hero  as  the  mountain  towering  high, 
Pale  dwarf  is  cradled  as  a  toy  to  die. 


THE    PRIME    HERO.  61 

The  combination  of  his  soul  and  mind 

i 

In  equipoise  divinity  designed  ; 

He  kissed  the  smiling  babe  with  dirty  face, 

As  image  of  its  God,   with  simple  grace  ; 

'T  was  not  the  ruffled  nor  the  satin  dressed 

That  he  embraced  or  to  his  bosom  pressed  ; 

'T  was  not  the  garb  of  man  first  to  admire, 

Nor  distant  ancestry  or  hero  sire  ; 

'Twas  man  and  only  man,   full-measured  man, 

That  he  respected,   or  the  future  can. 

He  was  a  man,   no  more  ;  but  nobly  such, 
With  principle  that  ne'er  required  a  crutch. 
A  mind  so  organized  with  inner  light, 
Applying  reason  with  augmented  sight. 
With  active  thinking  power,   and  oft  acute, 
When  analyzing  things  in  warm  dispute, 
His  thinking  cells  were  multiplied  so  great, 
Increased  capacity  with  strength  and  weight. 
Wild  seed  he  never  planted,   life  to  drain, 
Nor  withered  by  debauch  a  fertile  brain. 


62  THE     PRIME     HERO. 

He  had  a  seer's  directness  of  his  own 
In  solving  acts,   and  then  missteps  condone  ; 
A  subtle  power  inspired  by  highest  good, 
Whose  spirit-intellect  best  understood, 
Between  the  known,   and  intuition  saw, 
The  shadow  first,   and  then  the  perfect  law ; 
In  transit  measured  thought  as  science  gale, 
Or  zephyrs  change  to  storm  and  drop  to  hail ; 
His  apt  conclusions  axiomatic  strong, 
For  logic  was  his  antidote  for  wrong. 

V 

Who  would  expunge  the  conflict  of  this  age, 

While  Nation'l  glory  flames  from  every  page  ? 

Who  dullen  memory  of  civil  war, 

With  all  that  Christian  goodness  must  abhor  ? 

As  well  deface  the  country's  latest  map, 

And  empty  tropic  gulf  in  polar  lap, 

Deorbit  zenith  sun,   his  spots  to  hide, 

As  try  to  rob  the  Union  of  its  pride  ; 

The  North  and  South,   together  make  a  whole, 

Both  equal  dear  that  filled  a  Lincoln's  soul. 


THE     PRIME     HERO.  63 

What  splendor  centered  in  our  Hero's  court, 
Where  wealth  could  fawn  and  politicians  sport, 
And  military  stars  their  brightness  shone, 
And  great  ambassadors  from  regal  throne, 
And  admirals  who  oil  the  waves  to  sleep, 
And  men  who  weigh  the  microbe  of  the  deep, 
And  scientist  with  gun  of  heatless  fire,- 
All  gather'd  round  the  court  him  to  admire, 
And  gazed  in  wonderment  at  Lincoln's  form, 
The  living  center  of  the  civil  storm. 

To  paint  him  less,   the  power  that  heaven  gave, 
Would  be  as  painting  ocean,   less  the  wave  ; 
To  paint  him  with  the  latent  force  he  had, 
In  meditative  mood  sublimely  sad, 
Would  be  as  painting  iridescent  bow, 
That  spans  eternal  fields  of  crystal  snow  ; 
The  echoes  of  his  deeds  no  limit  bounds, 
And  every  race  of  men  his  praise  resounds, 
Is  evidence  of  wisdom  few  possessed, 
Who  rode  ambition's  tide  on  highest  crest. 


64:  THE     PRIME     HERO. 

His  enigmatic  mirth  as  rippling  rill ; 

Tho '  deeper  life  in  thought  provoking  still, 

Yet  solemn  gravity  showed  wit  as  bright, 

As  phosphorescent  flash  of  sea-born  light  ; 

The  ostentatious  ridiculed  with  wit, 

With  garnishment  a  dude  unblushing   "hit." 

His  jokes  were  parabolical  in  style, 

With  storming  laughter,   followed  with  a  smile. 

His  jests  as  spiral  spring,   give  either  way, 

With  facial  muscles  fixed  to  change  or  stay. 

He  penetrated  light  with  mental  eyes, 
As  eagle  sun  intensity  defies, 
Spontaneous  wit  in  him  as  sparks  ignite, 
Withal  judicial  mind  who  grasped  the  right. 
He  weighs  the  proposition  in  his  mind, 
With  strange  alacrity  solutions  find  ; 
His  magnanimity  hard  knots  unloosed, 
The  man  unmeasured,   Liberty  produced  ; 
The  child  of  poverty  met  death  in  power, 
As  martyr  of  his  faith's  exalted  hour. 


THE     PRIME     HERO. 

Sweet  lyre  of  motherhood,   by  cherubs  strung, 

You  welcome  new-born  child  with  harp  and  song. 

Pure  shrine  of  mother,   loving  thoughts  attend, 

As  seer  and  hero  in  devotion  berid  ; 

The  gates  of  heaven  swing  upon  thy  law, 

The  acme  of  sublimity  and  awe  ! 

Hope's  incarnation,   mother's  natal  love, 

It  comes  from  God,   and  must  return  above. 

A  cabin  child,   still  halo 's  Nancy  Hanks, 

To  her  a  nation  bows  eternal  thanks. 

• 

His  rising  manhood  gazed  o  'er  prairie  plains, 

Horizon  limits  rugged  growth  explains. 

His  hungry  mind  absorbed  with  glowing  heart, 

Rich  nature's  fullest  strength,   with  help  of  art. 

Intensifying  thought,   igniting  will, 

Expanding  mental  organs  with  a  thrill  ; 

Developing  the  brain  to  pond  'rous  weight, 

Dilating  heart  to  ethics  high  estate, 

His  own  curriculum  conferred  degrees, 

By  larded  torch,   with  book  upon  his  knees. 


66  THE     PRIME     HERO. 

Our  hero  slowly  grew,   perchance  as  stars  ; 
Time's  cycles  gave  us  scintillating  Mars. 
His  early  mind  was  no  precocious  blaze, 
Exhausted  quick,   but  grew  as  summer  days. 
His  brain  receptacle  as  fountain  well, 
Life's  hopes  as  mountain-peaks  that  never  fell ; 
With  love  as  thermal  space  around  the  sun, 
And  courage  that  the  world's  applause  has  won. 
Not  faultless  though,-  -perfection  is  divine,  - 

Yet  name  of  "  Honest  Abe,"  could  not  decline. 

• 

His  narrow  path  of  private  life  was  clean, 

No  filth  or  garbage  in  that  path  was  seen, 

As  open  as  the  sun's  the  world  to  see, 

And  trod  his  daily  rounds  twixt  law  and  plea. 

Oft  looked  upon  his  narrow  limit  rounds, 

To  wonder  what  should  be  his  future  bounds  ; 

As  failure  in  a  mask  upon  him  gazed, 

But  still  his  purpose  as  a  beacon  blazed, 

He  felt  his  boundaries  extending  slight  - 

Defeat  the  torch  that  lit  him  to  his  height. 


THE    PRIME    HERO.  67 

So  when  the  chariot  came,   clean  was  the  way, 

No  mud  to  splash,   or  boulders  to  delay. 

His  mind  and  heart  were  ready  for  the  change, 

So  full  of   truth  that  nothing  true  was  strange. 

Political  philosophy  as  plain 

As  were  the  steps  he  took  to  purpose  gain  ; 

The  public  heart  he  understood  was  true, 

The  people's  will  was  his,   to  theirs  pursue. 

The  Hero  saw  and  felt  as  duty  bid, 

No  motive  gilded  nor  defect  was  hid. 

Since  person'l  rights  and  liberty  were  born, 
No  other  man  did  freedom  more  adorn  ; 

/ 

With  power  as  limitless  as  sovereign  might, 

Without  abusing  one  inherent  right, 

To  honor  every  claim  his  honest  pride, 

And  none  the  weight  of  truth  he  e'er  denied  ; 

Whose  word  could  stay  an  army  corps  from  death, 

As  life  of  thousands  trembled  on  his  breath. 

Yet  ready  mercy  hovered  on  each  word, 

As  throbbing  heart  of  love  was  ever  heard. 


68  THE    PRIME    HERO. 

• 

What  bloo.d  and  energy  the  conflict  cost. 
To  weigh  the  gain,   subtracting  what  was  lost, 
Philosophers  may  solve  in  fruitful  time, 
Computing  good,   and  then  deducting  crime  ; 
The  art  of  war  proficiency  enhanced, 
On  land  and  ocean  sciences  advanced  ; 
Neglected  forces  were  aroused  from  dreams, 
Realities  were  cast  from  drossy  themes ; 
Like  dead  volcanoes  with  new  fire  and   smoke, 
From  lake  to  gulf  new  energy  awoke. 

Now  peaceful  victory  of  heart  and  brain, 

Like  subterraneous  streams    appear  again, 

And  bubbling  in  their  laughter  full  of  mirth, 

With  growth  of  commerce  and  the  fruits  of  earth  ; 

O'er  fields  of  war  the  eagle  proudly  flies, 

And  monuments  of  honor  now  arise. 

The  rose  and  lily  bent  o'er  Blue  and  Gray, 

The  night  of  gloom  developed  into  day, 

With  all  the  rays  of  solar  force  and   heat, 

In  every  part  the  union  is  complete. 


THE    PRIME    HERO.  69 

While  ocean  waves  shall  dash  on  rock-bound  coast, 
We  '11  guard  our  land  with  freedom's  gallant  host  ; 
Our  mountains  send  their  men  without  request, 
And  valley  rush  to  arms,  selecting  best. 
When  prairies  gather  force  as  autumn  fires, 
And  sons  of  youthful  years  shall  follow  sires, 
Whose  shouts  of   * '  Union  ! '    echoes  never  hush, 
Nor  enemy  their  native  valor  crush  ; 
When  mothers  charge  their  boys  to  meet  the  foe, 
As  North  and  South  together  strike  the  blow. 

If  every  cloud  that  floats  in  freedom's  arch, 

That  breaks  the  summer  heat,   assuaging  parch, 

And  every  lunar  change,   bestowing  light, 

That  spreads  her  beams  on  virtue's  path  of  night, 

And  every  planet  dart  that  reaches  earth, 

Each  adding  some  new  truth  to  freedom's  worth, 

Must  culminate,   rekindling  Lincoln's  name, 

Who  never  faltered  from  determined  aim, 

But  like  the  Mississippi's  constant  flow, 

Augmenting  force  continued  still  to  grow. 


70  THE    PRIME    HERO. 

Denude  the  mountains  of  their  granite  domes, 
Remove  the  purest  marble  white  as  Rome's, 
Prepare  a  base  of  granite,   hardest  grit, 
Erect  a  shaft  as  high  as  clouds  permit, 
Cementing  base  with  flux  of  silver  pure, 
Ornating  joints  and  bolt  with  steel  secure  ; 
With  iron  crane  lay  cubes  on  solid  base, 
In  golden  flux,   each  one  in  proper  place  ; 
What  feeble  grandeur,   yet  superb  in  plan, 
To  show  the  majesty  of  such  a  man  ! 

Go  back  through  labyrinth  of  brooding  time,      [crime  ; 
When    kings    enjoyed   their   place   through    blood    and 
Imperial  power  divine,  through  birth  and  state, 
When  royalty  meant  power  and  power  its  weight  ; 
To  see  their  coffer  brimming  with  their  spoils, 
Still  wet  from  tears,   and  red  from  servile  toils  ; 
Return  to  love  a  heart  as  Lincoln  had, 
The  cabin  child,   and  poverty's  brave  lad, 
To  see  the  crowning  power  of  earthly  things, 
Unshackled  intellect  on  angel  wings. 


STANDING    BY    HIS   CATAFALQUE. 

I  STOOD  beside  that  marbled  Hero's  bier, 

Upon  the  floor  he  stood  when  he  was  here  ; 

Where  oft  his  eloquence  took  soaring  flights, 

While  advocating  truth  and  human  rights. 

I  bowed  my  head  awe-bent,   but  not  to  weep, 

But  let  my  mind  revolve  while  he  's  asleep  ; 

To  meditate  upon  the  martyred  dead, 

Who  served  his  age  for  which  his  blood  was  shed  ; 

As  deeds  now  penetrate,   beyond  to  reach, 

Results  of  tragic  death  mock  words  of  speech. 

I  looked  upon  that  alabaster  face, 

Whose  living  lines  of  character  I  trace, 

As  when  I  saw  him  sixty  months  before, 

That  tall,   athletic  man  upon  this  floor, 

Just  ready  for  the  task  the  people  gave 

The  civil  hero  yet  in  danger  brave ; 

No  mark  of  anguish  left  on  pond'rous  brow, 

Nor  furrow  changed  by  time's  all-turning  plow  ; 

While  lips  are  sealed  to  me,   to  God  they  're  not, 

Nor  is  the  foul  conspiracy  and  plot. 

[71] 


72  STANDING     BY     HIS     CATAFALQUE. 

What  massive  head  !    an  empire  was  his  brain, 
No  human  weight  that  he  could  not  sustain  ; 
No  human  pain  but  he  could  learn  to  bear, 
No  human  grief  that  caused  him  to  despair  ; 
No  disappointment  changed  his  normal  course. 
Nor  war  nor  peace  affecting  mental  force  ; 
His  multiplied  resources  never  dried, 
As  scientific  knowledge  he  applied. 
Who  had  a  splint  for  every  broken  plan, 
And  never  looked  above  the  common  man. 

And  still  I  gazed  upon  that  rugged  face, 

In  meditation  lost,   and  to  the  place  ! 

I  tried  to  penetrate  those  bony  walls, 

To  gather  in  my  mind  what  most  appalls  ; 

The  laceration  of  his  soul's  domains, 

God's  grandest  mechanism,-  -thinking  brains 

Where  spirit  life  and  intellectu'l  powers, 

Unite  to  cluster  as  the  fragrant  flowers  ; 

So  intricate  that  seraphim  would  blush 

To  change  a  fiber,   or  a  cell  to  crush. 


STANDING  BY  HIS  CATAFALQUE.          73 

Now  cold  the  hand  that  penned  the  great  decree 

To  make  the  man  of  natal  pigments  free. 

The  culminating  glory  of  his  soul, 

Immortal  he  who  wrote  unblotted  scroll. 

Cold  hand,   cold  arm  of  giant  strength  are  numb, 

The  nimble  finger,   and  the  ready  thumb 

Are  motionless  —  are  dead,   yes  !    dead  are  they  - 

To  dust  return,   transmuted  into  clay  ! 

Should  atom  as  a  spark  transmission  claim, 

It  might  ignite  another  living  flame. 

But  still  I  gazed  as  oft  in  life  I  had, 

With  mind  absorbed  and  heart  inverted  sad, 

To  wonder  why  a  noble  life  should  end, 

Within  a  throng,    and  all  but  one  a  friend. 

Then  came  a  whisper  as  from  other  shore, 

"His  course  was  finished,  —  he  could  do  no  more," 

The  sun  may  oft  intensify  a  ray, 

But  can't  increase  his  limits  of  a  day  ; 

The  fulness  of  his  time  for  purpose  came, 

His  work  completed,   God  himself  to  claim. 


PANEGYRIC. 

The  solar  orb  may  drop  his  carbon  stone, 
To  stud  imperial  crown  upon  the  throne, 
Hot  comets  fling  their  molten  gold  on  earth, 
What  mote  as  circumstance  compared  to  birth  ? 
Where  child  immortal  forces  shall  enhance  — 
While  virtue  spurs  ambition  to  advance  ; 
And  sacred  cabin  of  the  pioneers, 
Sweet  nurseries  of  past,   the  present  cheers, 
Imprinting  pious  truth  on  crystal  mind, 
Procrastination  gave  to  lead  mankind. 

Our  Hero  chiseled  as  from  living  rock, 
The  child  of  freedom  from  a  flawless  block, 
Wl^o  grew  to  upright  man  the  people  thrilled, 
With  fervent  heart  that  height  had  never  chilled  ; 
Those  qualities  which  make1  a  loving  man, 
Through  arteries  and  veins  as  quickened  ran. 
No  person'l  myth  or  Oriental  Jove 
Who  flaming  steeds  through  fiery  distance  drove  ; 
He  was  the  living  Alpha  to  the  end, 
Omega  in  his  place  as  people's  friend. 

L74l 


PANEGYRIC.  75 

In  magnitude  he  rose    beyond  the  great, 
Whose  known  diameter  involved  but  state  ; 
His  ocean  bound,  and  held  in  strong  embrace, 
Protecting  each,   and  still  extending  space  ; 
Our  crystal  age  affords  but  one  of  such, 
Whose  harmony  was  felt  at  every  touch. 
One  Lincoln  in  a  century 's  enough, 
To  rob  creation  of  such  vital  stuff ; 
Another  age  may  need  perchance  some  more, 
The  growth  of  Liberty  on  our  shore. 

He  knew  no  section  in  his  march  with  timey 
No  politics  but  factors  that  were  prime  ; 
One  country  his,   of  equal  rights  in  plan, 
One  destiny  of  elevated  man, 
One  dignity  to  toiler  of  the  spade, 
With  him  who  millions  honestly  has  made  ; 
One  honor  to  the  bayonet  and  sword, 
Who  render  love  to  Him  whom  he  adored. 
Capacious  heart,   the  larger,   loving  kind, 
No  party  limits  bound  his  lib'ral  mind 


76  PANEGYRIC. 

fe 

Exalted  man  in  health  of  matchless  life, 

The  moment  slew  beside  a  loving  wife, 

Who  passed  from  flesh  as  gleam  from  heaven's  cloud, 

As  missile  through  the  cerebellum  plowed, 

The  limped  body  robbed  of  life  and  mind, 

Upon  the  lap  of  woe  in  death  reclined. 

And  mourning  millions  bend  o'er  casket  lid, 

Whose  soul  the  weeping  angels  welcome  bid  ; 

Like  shining  star  in  distant  ether   crushed, 

To  higher  zone  of  space  ignition  rushed  ! 

Intelligence  was  dumb  —  unconscious  lies  — 

Immortal  President  a  martyr  dies  ; 

All  potency  of  life  betokens  grief, 

And  irrepressible  hearts  throb,   for  chief ! 

The  lily  and  the  rose  sad,   stricken,   bent, 

As  tears  in  dew  and  mist  upon  them  sent. 

Sun  rays  that  passed  through  distant,  starless  space, 

Each,   iridescent,   dipped  to  kiss  his  face  ; 

Such  splendor,   mellowed  light  of  sorrows  tell, 

Subdued  as  accents  that  from  lips  then  fell. 


PANEGYRIC.  77 

The  mountains  seemed  to  rock,   and  valleys  rise, 
And  flow  of  rivers  move  with  self-surprise, 
The  ocean  tide-lashed  foam  was  piled  on  shore, 
As  birds  in  groups  were  chirping  in  their  lore. 
The  rising  sun  was  fire,   no  rays  to  shed, 
And  mounts  the  sky  reluctant  flaming  red  ; 
Men's  eyes  were  staring  balls,   in  pallid  face  ; 
For  century  was  blotted  with  disgrace. 
The  daring  blow  at  freedom  touched  each  soul, 
As  mournful  thunders  through  the  heavens  roll. 

Our  conquered  liberty's  embalmed  in  him, 

Whose  golden  chalice  death  has  filled  to  brim, 

His  risen  star,   the  molded  wrongs  of  past, 

Faith,  liberty,   and  death  in  orbit  cast ; 

In  coming  ages  still  augmenting  light, 

And  every  ray  intensifying  right, 

'Til  truth  reflects  equality  of  man, 

Upon  the   ' '  Meek  and  Lowly's "  simple  plan  ; 

Then  strikes  shall  cease,   and  destitution  too, 

And  all  shall  right  and  honesty  pursue. 


78  PANEGYRIC. 

He  stands  on  heaven's  battlement,  just  where 
Horizon  meets  horizon's  neutral  air, 
Beyond  time's  zone  in  heaven's  vital  space, 
To  plead  the  cause  of  every  cognate  race. 
As  columns  of  unmeasured  depth  appear, 
With  hopes  eternal  in  the  soul  to  cheer. 
His  work  the  object  of  celestial  care, 
Whose  efforts  never  cease  his  joy  to  share, 
This  side  the  sacred  limits  of  the  throne, 
Eternity's  no  place  for  spirit  drone. 

Let  mind  review  a  retrospect  of  man  ; 

Five  thousand  years  of  progress  let  us  scan. 

Each  noble  man  of  history  profane, 

And  study  character  and  measure  brain  ; 

Then  weigh  the  heart  on  scales  of  perfect  poise, 

The  age  and  times,   the  light  that  oft  decoys  ; 

Count  pyramids  and  monuments  as  planned, 

The  shafts  of  wonder  still  to  glory  stand  ; 

Who  has  approached  his  altitude  on  earth, 

Through  force  of  manhood,   freedom's    highest    worth  ? 


PANEGYRIC.  79 

When  time  has  spent  its  force  to  be  no  more, 
Consuming  ocean's  chasm  recedes  from  shore, 
Hot  mountains  crumble,   filling  yawning  place, 
And  deep'ning  craters  flame  in  lurid  space. 
When  calm  approaches,   matter  disappears, 
And  heaven's  convoy  distant  music  hears, 
Then  open  wide  shall  swing  celestial  gate, 
Where  seraph's  concourse  welcome  bidding  wait, 
In  midst  of  gate  the  hero  comes  in  sight, 
While  human  hosts  with  angels  there  unite. 


II- 


